UNDER  iHB  PINES 


YDIA  AVERY  CQQNLBY 


alifornia 
^ional 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


/• 

. 


UNDER  THE  PINES 

AND   OTHER  VERSES 


UNDER  THE  PINES 

AND  OTHER  VERSES 


BY 

LYDIA  AVERY  COONLEY 


CHICAGO 

WAY  &  WILLIAMS 
1895 


COPYRIGHT 

BY  WAY  AND  WILLIAMS 
MDCCCXCV 


PS 


CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

UNDER  THE  PINES 9 

SONG ii 

THE  FOREST  SAMSON iz 

BEHIND  THE  DEED     . 14 

HEREDITY 15 

ARCADY 16 

A  MOTHER'S  CLASS-DAY  WISHES 18 

EARTH  TO  AIR 20 

WAIT 22 

CREMATION 23 

THE  WORLD  MADE  NEW 24 

THE  VISION 26 

MAHOMET'S  CHOICE 27 

To  A  MALACHITE  GEODE 28 

IXTACCIHUATL  AND  POPOCATEPETL 30 

APPLE  BLOSSOMS 32 

UNTO  YOUR  ENEMY 34 

JOY 35 

LOTUS 36 

THE  LOVE  THAT  FORGIVES 38 

TO-DAY 39 


612762 


vi.  CONTENTS  —  Continued. 

PAGE 

ORIOLE 40 

ROSES 42 

IN  AIR 43 

ORCHID 44 

CALIFORNIA 46 

NAUSHON 48 

THE  HEART'S  SONG 50 

THE  TRUTH  SHALL  MAKE  You  FREE       ...  51 

LOVE'S  POWER 52 

GOOD 54 

MEXICAN  SONG 55 

ALWAYS  SPRING 56 

LONG,  LONG,  AGO 58 

0  BEAUTIFUL  DAY 60 

THE  DAWN  OF  A  DAY 61 

1  LOVE  You,  DEAR 62 

ALONE 64 

JUDGE  NOT 65 

GOD'S  CHILDREN 66 

WHY  FEAR •     .  68 

WITH  GOD 69 

THE  BOOM  OF  THE  LAKE  ON  THE  GRAY  SEA  WALL  70 

MILTON  HILL 72 

MY  NEIGHBOR 73 

SONG  FOR  A  GOLDEN  WEDDING 74 

CORONADO 76 

HYMN 79 


CONTENTS  —  Continued.  vii. 

PAGE 

NINETIETH  PSALM 80 

FEBRUARY 8z 

APRIL 84 

JUNE 86 

SEPTEMBER 88 

OCTOBER 90 

GOOD  BYE,  OLD  YEAR 92 

<As  A  MAN  THINKETH  ' 93 

SUNNY  BRAE 94 

TWILIGHT 96 

LAKE  TO  SKY 98 

WE  Two ioo 

THE  LETTER 102 

OLD  PROVERBS  IN  A  NEW  DRESS 103 


My  little  book,  your  lines  were  born 

In  rifts  of  busy  times  $ 
No  travail  pains  of  solitude 

Brought  forth  these  simple  rhymes. 
They  have  no  plan,  no  moral  hid, 

No  prize  for  one  who  delves  ; 
They  came  from  out  a  happy  heart, 

And  seemed  to  sing  themselves. 


UNDER  THE  PINES. 

UNDER  the  pine  tree  a  gay  hammock  swings, 
Up  in  its  branches  a  tiny  bird  sings  ; 
Down  through  the  pine-needle  clusters  of  green 
Filter  the  sunbeams,  with  blue  sky  between. 

Under  the  hammock  lies  carpet  of  brown, 
Made  of  pine  needles  the  breezes  blew  down, 
Perfumed  by  its  own  heart,  dyed  by  the  snow, 
Padded  and  tufted  above  and  below. 

Swing  in  the  hammock,  and  what  do  you  see  ? 
Silver  Lake  smiling  near  blue  Ossipee ; 
On  the  horizon,  in  high  curving  lines, 
Mountains  that  rise  over  forests  of  pines. 

Swing  in  the  hammock,  and  what  do  you  hear  ? 
Secrets  the  birds  confide,  whispering  near, 
Chirping  of  crickets  and  humming  of  bees, 
Song  of  the  breezes  among  the  pine  trees. 


IO  UNDER    THE    PINES 

Wish,  now  !  oh,  wish  from  the  hammock,  my 

dear ! 

4  All  through  the  summer  days  let  me  swing  here, 
Seeing  the  mountains  in  blue  curving  lines, 
Breathing  the  breath  of  the  fragrant  green  pines ; 

4  Gazing  above  to  the  blue  of  the  sky, 
Bending  to  touch  the  pine  mat,  brown  and  dry, 
Listening  to  bird-notes  and  whirring  of  wings, 
Till  with  earth's  gladness  my  happy  heart  sings.' 

Swing  in  the  hammock !  Oh,  swing,  swing  away ! 
What  can  compare  with  a  blue  summer  day  ? 
Sorrow  and  care  may  smooth  out  all  their  lines 
When  the  dear  hammock  swings  under  the  pines. 


SONG  1 1 


SONG. 

i. 

WHY  are  the  skies  so  softly  blue, 
The  meadows  jewelled  o'er  with  dew  ? 
Why  are  the  trees  all  emerald-green, 
The  lake  a  smile  of  silver  sheen  ? 
Do  you  not  know,  O  Lover  mine, 
Why  earth  is  decked  in  robes  divine  ? 
It  is  the  springtime  of  the  year, 
And  spring  is  in  our  hearts,  my  dear. 

ii. 

Alas  !  the  clouded  skies  are  cold, 
The  meadows  dark  with  earthy  mold, 
The  leafless  trees  stand  brown  and  dry, 
Gray  is  the  lake  'neath  grayer  sky. 
O  Lover  lost,  with  every  breath 
Do  you  not  mourn  these  signs  of  death  ? 
It  is  the  winter  of  the  year, 
Its  frost  has  touched  our  hearts,  my  dear. 


12  THE    FOREST    SAMSON 


THE  FOREST  SAMSON. 

LIKE  Samson  shorn  the  bare  trees  stand. 
Their  branches  dark  against  the  sky, 

Their  strength  forgotten  by  the  band 
Of  thoughtless,  careless  passers-by. 

They  wait  in  silence  till  the  tide 

Of  joyous  life  begins  to  flow, 
And  over  branches  spreading  wide 

Their  sign  of  strength,  the  green  leaves  grow. 

So  Samson  waited  till  his  hair 

In  all  his  shaven  locks  grew  long, 
And  answered  to  his  silent  prayer : 
4  Thou,  Nazarite,  again  art  strong.' 

Then  called  he  on  avenging  heaven, 
Within  the  temple  bowed  his  head 

And  clasped  the  pillars  ;  walls  were  riven 
And  he  lay  in  the  ruins  —  dead. 


THE    FOREST    SAMSON  13 

But  our  great  trees,  with  strength  renewed, 
Build  forest  temples,  and  the  breath 

Of  summer  winds  chants  through  their  aisles 
The  prophet's  song  —  There  is  no  death  ! 


14  BEHIND    THE    DEED 


BEHIND  THE  DEED. 

1  WHY  should  I  work  ?     Why  should  I  strive  ? 

The  world  is  wrong/  you  say,  and  sigh. 
'  My  drop  of  good  is  swept  away 

By  tides  of  evil  rising  high  ! ' 

Ah,  no  !  the  beat  of  every  heart 
That  throbs  for  right  is  felt  afar ; 

Each  kindly  deed,  each  joyful  gift, 
Speeds  hope  and  courage  like  a  star. 

The  spirit  stands  behind  the  deed, 

In  holy  thought  the  dream  must  start ; 

And  every  cause  that  moves  the  world 
Was  born  within  a  single  heart. 


HEREDITY  15 


HEREDITY. 

WHY  bowest  them,  O  soul  of  mine, 

Crushed  by  ancestral  sin  ? 
Thou  hast  a  noble  heritage, 

That  bids  thee  victory  win. 

The  tainted  past  may  bring  forth  flowers, 

As  blossomed  Aaron's  rod  ; 
No  legacy  of  sin  annuls 

Heredity  from  God. 


1 6  ARCADY 


ARCADY. 

WHERE  do  the  roses  bloom 

All  the  round  year  ? 
You  have  the  calendar, 

Tell  me,  my  dear  ! 

Pink  as  the  sea-shell's  heart 
Crimson  as  Cupid's  dart, 
Snowy  in  bridal  white, 
Yellow  with  amber  light, — 

Where  do  the  roses  bloom  ? 

Tell  me,  my  dear. 
Only  in  Arcady  — 

Arcady  's  here  ! 

Where  do  acacias  show, 

Through  rifts  of  green, 
Blue  of  the  summer  sky 

Shining  between  ? 


ARCADY  1 7 

Leaflets  that  kissed  too  much, 
Shrink  from  love's  tender  touch  ; 
Flower-cups  whose  golden  spray 
Clings  to  the  sun's  last  ray  ? 

Where  do  acacias  bloom  ? 

Tell  me,  my  dear  ! 
Only  in  Arcady  — 

Arcady  's  here  ! 

Where  does  the  heart  keep  young 

All  through  the  year  ? 
You  know  the  secret  well, 

Tell  me,  my  dear  ! 

Just  where  each  day  makes  room 
Gladly  for  roses'  bloom  ; 
Just  where  acacias  hold 
Drops  of  the  sunset's  gold. 

Where  does  the  heart  keep  young  ? 

Tell  me,  my  dear  ! 
Only  in  Arcady  — 

Arcady 's  here. 


1 8         A  MOTHER'S  CLASS-DAY  WISHES 


A  MOTHER'S  CLASS-DAY  WISHES. 

FAIR  Harvard's  Class  Day.     Ivied  walls 
Give  Nature's  grace  to  stately  halls, 
And  sun  and  shadow  play  between 
The  ancient  trees  upon  the  green. 

Her  roll  tenacious  Memory  calls, 
And  summons  to  these  trysting  halls 
Her  noble  sons,  whose  names  are  told 
On  history's  page  in  stars  of  gold. 

The  poet  meets  the  statesman  here, 
The  sage  stands  close  beside  the  seer, 
And  heroes  come  from  quiet  sleep 
Where  Memory  tenderest  watch  doth  keep. 

Then  shadowy  forms  fade  into  air, 
The  present  triumphs  everywhere ; 
And  youth  and  beauty  flash  their  smiles 
When  black-robed  seniors  crowd  the  aisles. 


A  MOTHER'S  CLASS-DAY  WISHES         19 

I  know  it  all !     The  glorious  star 
Of  Harvard  shines  from  near  and  far ; 
And  yet  to-day  in  all  the  town 
I  only  see  one  cap  and  gown. 

My  son  !  —  for  you  I  do  not  ask 
The  hero's  sword,  the  statesman's  task, 
Or  poet's  wreath,  or  voice  of  seer, 
That  men  may  love  and  men  may  fear. 

I  only  ask  that  Harvard's  best 
Of  truth  and  honor  be  your  quest ; 
That  following  Harvard's  highest  plan, 
Your  life  be  given  to  God  and  man. 

The  world  may  never  read  your  name 
Upon  the  future's  roll  of  fame  : 
Enough,  my  son,  if  heavenly  crown 
Be  added  to  your  cap  and  gown. 


2O  EARTH    TO    AIR 


EARTH  TO  AIR. 

A  LITTLE  worm  on  branch  of  gray 
Began  his  work  one  summer  day ; 
He  planned  and  built,  he  wove  and  spun, 
Until  his  tiny  house  was  done. 

He  laid  the  walls  with  leaf-green  rails ; 
He  set  the  roof  with  golden  nails  ; 
He  wove  a  sheet  of  softest  lace, 
And  in  its  folds  himself  found  place. 

He  slept,  and  in  the  dark  of  night 
He  dreamed  of  future  wings  of  light. 
The  shining  house  became  a  veil, 
And  gone  was  every  golden  nail. 

Through  the  thin  walls  of  gauze  I  spied 
The  rainbow  wings  he  had  not  tried ; 
They  cradled  close  and  folded  tight 
His  velvet  body,  strong  and  light. 


EARTH    TO    AIR  21 

On  sped  the  hours  till  sleep  was  done, 
Wide  swung  the  doors  to  life's  new  sun. 
He  woke  !  he  longed  his  wings  to  try, 
And  found  himself — a  butterfly  ! 

No  longer  measuring  slow  his  way, 
No  longer  shut  from  light  of  day, 
He  does  not  toil  with  creeping  things, 
But  floats  with  birds  on  happy  wings ! 


22  WAIT 


WAIT. 

ALL  Nature  waits  the  appointed  hour, 
The  seed  to  start,  the  bud  to  flower ; 
But  man,  impatient,  hurries  on, 
To  lose  the  cause  that  might  be  won. 

Calm  wisdom  ever  counsels — Wait ! 
Time  solves  the  problems  of  the  State ; 
When  seed  of  righteous  cause  is  sown, 
Trust  time  to  show  its  flower  full-blown. 


CREMATION  23 


CREMATION. 

WHEN  wide  my  prison  gates  of  life  are  swung, 
What  will  you  do  with  mortal  robe  that  clung 
To  keep  me  here  ?    Dear  friends,  ah  !  do  not  lay 
That  cast-off  garment  in  the  ground,  I  pray, 
But  let  the  throbbing  white  heat  of  the  fire 
Leave  only  ashes  on  its  funeral  pyre. 
Then  say :  l  She  longed  to  bring  rare  beauty  here, 
To  make  the  desert  blossom  through  the  year ; 
And  if,  perchance,  her  dreaming  was  denied, 
The  more  through  death  let  her  be  satisfied.' 

So,  when  the  fire  is  out,  and  ashes  white 
Are  all  the  mortal  remnant  left  to  sight, 
Then  scatter  them  upon  the  garden  bed 
Where  the  red  rose-tree  lifts  its  lovely  head, 
And  let  it  say,  as  deeper  red  it  glows  : 
1  She  is  not  dead  ;  she  lives  within  the  rose.' 


24  THE    WORLD    MADE    NEW 


THE  WORLD  MADE  NEW. 

WERE  ever  songs  of  birds  so  sweet  ? 

Were  ever  skies  so  fair  ? 
Do  you  not  see  the  golden  haze 

That  lingers  in  the  air  ? 
Oh,  listen  to  the  lark's  clear  note, 

The  thrush's  roundelay, 
And  tell  me,  was  there  ever  known 

So  beautiful  a  day  ? 

The  brook  is  singing  o'er  the  stones 

Beside  the  wicket  gate  j 
The  cricket  chirps,  the  locust  hums, 

The  robin  calls  his  mate. 
And  see  the  golden  harvest  moon ! 

It  greets  the  sun's  last  ray  ; 
Oh,  tell  me  !  tell  me  !  when  before 

Was  ever  such  a  day  ? 


THE    WORLD    MADE    NEW  25 

Then  Graybeard  smiled  the  while  he  sighed  : 

1  Ah,  maiden  dear,  to  you 
Sweet  love  has  come  with  magic  power, 

And  made  the  whole  world  new. 
For  yesterday  the  skies  were  fair, 

And  old  is  Nature's  art ; 
To-day  the  world  is  echoing 

The  song  within  your  heart.' 


26  THE    VISION 


THE  VISION. 

SHE  walked  along  a  stony  way, 
Up-hill  her  path  the  long,  long  day ; 
By  sharp  thorns  were  her  garments  torn ; 
And  yet  she  smiled  from  night  to  morn. 

She  did  not  know  the  hill  was  long, 
Her  bleeding  feet  stepped  true  and  strong ; 
Her  hand  unshrinking  clasped  each  thorn 
And  called  it  rose,  of  heaven  born, 

Because  —  because  there  went  before 
A  dream  that  brightened  evermore. 
She  saw  the  vision  of  the  light, 
She  felt  no  pain,  she  knew  no  night. 


MAHOMET'S  CHOICE  27 


MAHOMET'S  CHOICE. 

4  IF  I  had  but  two  loaves  of  bread,' 

Mahomet  said, 

4 1  would  sell  one,  that  I  might  buy 
Sweet  hyacinths  to  satisfy 

My  hungry  soul.' 

Great  Oriental !     Prophet  wise  ! 
You  taught  each  one  of  us  who  fain 

By  body's  dole 

Would  feed  the  soul, 

That  it  is  gain 
When  hyacinths  he  buys, 
E'en  though  he  sacrifice 

His  loaf  of  bread. 


28  TO    A    MALACHITE    GEODE 


TO  A  MALACHITE  GEODE. 

FAIR  Malachite,  our  Mother  Earth 
In  silent  darkness  gave  you  birth ; 
Within  your  geode  cradle  locked, 
On  seas  of  vapor  gently  rocked, 
You  slumbered  till  your  velvet  heart 
Of  these  gray  walls  became  a  part. 

But  not  alone,  dear  Malachite, 

You  lived,  shut  out  from  earthly  light. 

To  keep  you  company  there  grew 

A  trio  bright  and  fair  as  you, 

And  darkness  wrapped  them  with  a  sheen 

That  rivals  e'en  your  velvet  green. 

Still  swung  within  your  shadowed  nest, 
The  eons  brought  you  —  rare  bequest !  — 
To  show  that  dreams  of  human  heart 
Cannot  imagine  Nature's  art. 


TO    A    MALACHITE    GEODE 

For  when  your  burnished  cradle  broke, 
And  to  the  light  of  day  you  woke, 
You  stood  in  velvet,  emerald  bright, 
A  miracle  in  Malachite. 


30        IXTACCIHUATL    AND    POPOCATEPETL 


IXTACCIHUATL  AND 
POPOCATEPETL. 

ABOVE  the  mountains  ranging  low 
Two  sentries  stand  in  robes  of  snow 
To  guard  thy  beautiful  plateau, 
O  fertile  land  of  Mexico  ! 

The  clouds  above  are  not  so  white 
As  their  fair  heads  when,  silver  bright, 
The  sunshine  bathes  their  snowy  height 
And  decks  them  with  aerial  light. 

Ixtaccihuatl  lies  at  rest, 

By  shining  clouds  her  form  caressed  ; 

And  lingering  o'er  her  snowy  breast, 

The  sun  is  late  to  seek  the  west. 

\ 

But  Popocatepetl  wakes, 

And  from  his  head  the  snow-wreath  shakes, 


IXTACCIHUATL    AND    POPOCATEPETL        3! 

While  one  dark  cloud  a  shadow  makes 
Through  which  the  sunshine,  laughing,  breaks. 

Hail,  guardians  of  this  fair  plateau  ! 
Your  fires  are  quenched  in  drifts  of  snow  ; 
But  yet  your  eyes,  with  mystic  glow, 
Keep  prophet's  watch  o'er  Mexico. 


32  APPLE    BLOSSOMS 


APPLE  BLOSSOMS. 

THE  apple  tree  is  white  with  bloom  ; 
Through  Spring  air  filters  soft  perfume ; 
And  shadows  lie  in  drifts  of  pink. 

0  thirsty  soul,  come  here  to  drink  ! 

Come,  to  your  weary  lips  lift  up 
A  draught  that  brims  in  memory's  cup, 
Fragrant  with  years  when,  all  abloom, 
This  tree  for  children's  play  made  room. 

It  roofed  with  pink  their  happy  hearts, 
And  through  white  rifts  sent  sunbeam  darts; 
They  had  no  thought  beyond  their  glee 
When  sporting  'neath  the  apple  tree. 

Alas  !  my  steps  have  wandered  far 
From  apple  bloom  and  childhood's  star ; 

1  had  well-nigh  forgot  the  day 
That  canopied  with  flowers  my  play. 


APPLE    BLOSSOMS  33 

But  years  may  pass  and  bring  regret, 
Sad  thoughts  may  start  the  tears, —  and  yet 
My  childhood  heart  returns  to  me 
When  blossoms  forth  the  apple  tree. 


34  UNTO    YOUR    ENEMY 


UNTO  YOUR  ENEMY. 

UNTO  your  enemy  a  kind  thought  send 
He  is  no  longer  enemy,  but  friend. 


JOY  35 


JOY. 

SWEET  Joy  on  earth  is  seeking 

To  find  a  happy  home  ; 
He  cares  not  if  to  palace 

Or  cottage  he  shall  come. 
He  looks  in  heart  of  peasant, 

He  looks  in  heart  of  king ; 
To  those  who  joy  are  giving 

Sweet  Joy  himself  will  bring, 
And  by  their  hearts'  warm  firesides 

Will  sit  and  smile  and  sing. 


36  LOTUS 


LOTUS. 

THE  Lotus  left  old  Egypt's  sands, 
To  seek  afar  in  western  lands 
The  answer  to  the  riddle  hid 
Beneath  the  ancient  pyramid. 

A  Queen  upon  the  lily  bed, 

She  lifted  up  her  rose-crowned  head, 

And  held  in  golden  cup  on  high 

The  seeds  first  grown  for  Pharaoh's  eye. 

4 1  thought  the  east  was  old,'  she  said, 
4 1  thought  its  heart  a  mummy  dead  ; 
But  in  this  western  world  I  find 
That  I  was  dull  —  that  I  was  blind. 

4  As  well  in  orient  break  the  links 
That  bind  the  riddle  of  the  Sphinx ; 
One  word  has  been  the  Sesame 
Prevailing  from  eternity. 


LOTUS  37 

1 1  look  to  east  —  I  look  to  west  — 
The  old  —  the  new  —  and  both  are  best, 
Love  knows  not  time  and  knows  not  space, 
Egyptian  or  Caucasian  race. 

4  Love  is  the  word  the  gray  Sphinx  hid, 
Love  built  the  oldest  pyramid ; 
The  riddle  of  the  orient 
Hides  not  its  key  in  Occident. 

4  Its  answer  comes  from  centuries  past, 
Love,  old  and  new  —  Love,  first  and  last. 
The  words  are  by  the  ages  sung : 

"  The  oldest  love  is  ever  young." ' 


38  THE    LOVE    THAT    FORGIVES 


THE  LOVE  THAT  FORGIVES. 

A  BEAUTIFUL  love  is  the  love  that  adores ; 
It  changes  life's  rocks  into  smooth  sloping  shores ; 
But  better  'mid  breakers  for  each  one  who  lives 
To  cling  to  the  beautiful  love  that  forgives. 

The  love  that  adores  is  a  holiday  love, 

It  fails  when  by  trial  its  weakness  we  prove  ; 

Then  for  life's  every  day  thank  the  Lord  when 
he  gives 

That  crown  of  his  blessings  —  the  love  that  for 
gives. 


TO-DAY 


39 


TO-DAY. 

WHY  fear  to-morrow,  timid  heart  ? 

Why  tread  the  future's  way  ? 
We  only  need  to  do  our  part 

To-day,  dear  child,  to-day. 

The  past  is  written  !     Close  the  book 

On  pages  sad  and  gay ; 
Within  the  future  do  not  look, 

But  live  to-day  —  to-day. 

'T  is  this  one  hour  that  God  has  given ; 

His  now  we  must  obey ; 
And  it  will  make  our  earth  his  heaven 

To  live  to-day  —  to-day. 


4O  ORIOLE 


ORIOLE. 

WHILE  summer  was  smiling,  the  valley 

A  subtle  infusion  had  made 
Of  pines,  spruces,  ferns,  fragrant  mosses, 

And  sweet  flowers  distilled  in  the  shade ; 
And  then  between  daylight  and  darkness, 

The  hour  when  the  heart  bows  in  prayer, 
The  dew  filtered  all  this  quintessence 

Of  odor  to  perfume  the  air. 

The  fireflies  were  flashing  their  lanterns; 

A  locust  his  tambourine  whirred ; 
A  butterfly  gleamed  in  the  roadway, 

And  never  a  leaflet  was  stirred. 
A  dragon-fly,  dressed  in  her  gauzes, 

Sped  by  with  a  tremulous  hum ; 
And  standing  erect  on  a  tree-trunk 

A  woodpecker  beat  his  gray  drum. 


ORIOLE  41 

Then  sounded  a  call  from  the  branches, 

Sweet  and  shrill,  from  the  lark's  golden  throat; 
'T  was  answered  by  robin  and  sparrow, 

And  last  came  the  oriole's  note, — 
That  rapturous  song  from  the  tree-top : 

The  new  moon  rose  over  the  hill, 
For  the  oriole  sang  to  her  beauty, 

And  the  birds  of  the  forest  were  still. 


42  ROSES 


ROSES. 

O  ROSES,  are  you  really  white  ? 

And,  roses,  are  you  red  ? 
Fair  lilies,  was  your  perfume  left 

Upon  the  garden's  bed  ? 
Where  have  you  hid,  O  sunshine  rays, 

Your  golden  light  from  me  ? 
Why,  sky  of  azure,  never  more 

As  blue  as  deep  blue  sea  ? 

1  Ah  !  white  and  red,' 

The  roses  said  j 
4  And  sweet  the  air 

Where  lilies  fare.' 
The  sunshine  fell 

With  radiant  spell, 
And  seagulls  flew 

Through  depths  of  blue. 

The  lady  sighed  :  c  The  world  is  gray 
Since  my  true  lover  sailed  away.' 


IN    AIR  43 


IN  AIR. 

(ORCHID.     Ccelogyne  Cristata.) 

FAIR  Orchid,  born  of  earth  and  air, 
In  thee  hath  every  season  share, — 
Spring's  subtle  thought,  and  Summer's  glow, 
The  Autumn's  incense,  Winter's  snow. 

The  mystery  of  Heaven  is  thine, 
Thou  art  the  angels'  flower  divine ; 
All  other  blossoms  are  of  earth, — 
A  far-off  sphere  hath  given  thee  birth. 

Thy  white  form  swings  on  slender  stem ; 
No  leaf  doth  touch  thy  garment's  hem. 
Thy  radiance  to  the  air  is  given, — 
Earth  claims  thee  not,  thou  flower  of  Heaven. 


44  ORCHID 


ORCHID. 

(Brassia  Verrucosa.*) 

FROM  what  strange  land  beyond  our  ken 
Com'st  thou,  O  creature,  winged  in  white  ? 

Art  fairy  from  some  distant  fen  ? 

Art  saint  from  far-off  mountain  height  ? 

Or  art  thou  ghost  of  wandering  bird, 

Caught  on  a  light  stem's  green-flushed  tips  ? 

Sure  never  voice  hath  mortal  heard 
Like  music  of  thy  wind-blown  lips  ! 

Perchance  thou  'rt  butterfly,  escaped 

From  swinging,  crimson-flecked  cocoon  ; 

Thy  pale  wings  like  a  crescent  shaped 
To  greet  the  pallid,  crescent  moon. 

What  angel  from  the  clouds  bent  down 
To  kiss  thy  white  face  floating  by, 

And  hold  thee,  who  wert  heaven's  own, 
And  now  art  half  of  earth,  half  sky. 


ORCHID  45 

Thou  creature  of  another  sphere, 

I  scarcely  breathe  lest  thou  should'st  fade  ? 
How  can'st  thou  find  companion  here, 

Where  thy  white  sheen  makes  all  else  shade  ? 

Ah,  fold  thy  wings,  and  loving  eyes 

Shall  watch  thy  trysting  with  the  moon ; 

And  then,  thou  darling  of  the  skies, 
Fly  far,  with  other  joys  of  June. 


46  CALIFORNIA 


CALIFORNIA. 

O  LAND  beloved  of  the  sea  ! 

In  white  waves'  flowing  tide, 
By  rounding  gulf  and  curving  bay, 
/  He  lingers  at  thy  side. 

O  Land  beloved  of  the  sun  ! 

When  dawning  day  is  priest, 
He  lays  upon  thy  mountain  shrines 

The  glory  of  the  east. 

Then  through  thy  fields  and  poppied  vales 
His  sunbeams  deck  the  way, 

While  on  the  dials  of  the  world 
The  shadows  mark  the  day. 

O  Land  beloved  of  the  flowers, 
They  laugh  with  sea  and  sun, 

And  perfumed  breezes  come  to  ring 
Their  floral  carillon. 


CALIFORNIA  47 

O  Land  where  snow's  white  miracle 

The  winters  never  bring, — 
With  summer  blossoms  on  your  breast, 

Do  you  forget  the  spring  ? 


48  NAUSHON 


NAUSHON. 

'T  WAS  Mother  Nature's  voice  that  spoke : 
Where  will  you  live,  O  noble  Oak  ? 
And  you,  my  Elm  and  stately  Beech, 
Cedar  and  Pine  Tree,  tell  me,  each  ? 
Glad  winds  the  answer  brought  anon, 

1  Naushon  !  Naushon  !  we  choose  Naushon  !  * 

Where  will  you  stand,  O  Boulder  mine, 
Towering  in  glistening  granite  fine  ? 
And  small  white  Stones  and  Pebbles  gray, 
Where  will  you  gather  for  your  play  ? 
Each  rock  and  pebble  thereupon 
Replied,  '  Naushon  !   we  choose  Naushon  ! ' 

Where  will  you  dwell,  my  splendid  Deer, 
Your  great  eyes  soft  with  timid  fear  ? 
And  you,  my  Faun  and  gentle  Doe, 
Tell  me,  oh,  tell !  where  will  you  go  ? 

4  To  dear  Naushon  ! '   the  brown  doe  cried. 

1  Naushon  !  Naushon  ! '  the  deer  replied. 


NAUSHON  49 

My  Birds,  what  happy  woods  shall  ring 

With  all  the  songs  you  love  to  sing  ? 

And  you,  O  Flowers,  where  will  you  bloom, — 

Wild  Roses,  Clover,  Yellow  Broom  ? 

Birds  trilled,  flowers  rang  a  carillon  : 

'  Give  us  an  island  home  —  Naushon  ! ' 

The  trees  have  grown,  as  years  sped  on, 
To  forests  deep  upon  Naushon, 
And  birds  and  flowers  and  happy  deer 
Make  here  their  home  from  year  to  year  j 
While  ocean  tides  roll  in  to  play 
Around  the  smoothly  curving  bay. 

But  all  the  beauty,  all  the  grace 
That  haunt  this  blessed  island  place, 
Were  naught  until  Love  chose  his  home 
Where  all  the  rest  rejoiced  to  come ; 
For  of  life's  blessings  Love  is  crown, — 
Its  stars  are  set  upon  Naushon. 


50  THE  HEART'S  SONG 


THE  HEART'S  SONG. 

THE  pine  trees  sing  it  as  I  pass, 

The  crickets  chirp  it  in  the  grass, 

The  brook  in  murmuring  undertones 

Confides  the  secret  to  the  stones. 

I  linger,  listening,  and  I  hear 

The  happy  song  — c  I  love  you,  Dear  !  * 

The  tune  is  rung  on  lily  bells, 
And  goldenrod  the  story  tells ; 
The  wood-thrush  lifts  his  tiny  wings 
And  breathes  his  heart  out  as  he  sings; 
And  still  the  same  sweet  words  I  hear  — 
4 1  love  you,  Dear  !     I  love  you,  Dear  ! ' 

O  heart,  my  heart !  can  it  be  true, 

T  is  you  that  make  the  old  song  new  ? 

And  did  you  learn  it  from  the  rill, 

And  from  the  pine  trees  on  the  hill  ? 

Or  are  they  echoes  that  I  hear, 

And  yours  the  song  — '  I  love  you,  Dear  ! ' 


THE   TRUTH   SHALL   MAKE   YOU   FREE        51 


THE  TRUTH  SHALL  MAKE 
YOU  FREE. 

COUNT  not  your  stumbles,  but  arise ; 

God's  promises  are  sure ; 
Shake  all  the  dust  from  out  your  thought, 

And  leave  it  clean  and  pure. 

Judge  not !  not  others  or  yourselves  ; 

Let  conscience  rest.     For  ye, 
He  promises,  shall  know  the  truth, — 

The  truth  shall  make  you  free. 


52  LOVE'S  POWER 


LOVE'S  POWER. 

THE  fire  is  smouldering  while  the  daylight  wanes; 
Rain  taps  impatient  on  the  window  panes ; 
The  waves  roll  high,  and  the  cold  wind  com 
plains. 

The  wind  complains. 

Reluctant  start  the  embers  to  a  blaze ; 
Among  the  ashy  drifts  the  red  coal  plays ; 
In  fairy  rings  the  circling  smoke  delays. 

The  smoke  delays. 

Ah,  lonely  life  !  it  is  the  wind's  sad  cry ; 
Ah,  only  life  !  calls  Echo,  floating  by ; 
Ah,  love  is  life  !  it  is  my  heart's  reply, 
i  My  heart's  reply. 

Burn  low,  ye  fires  that  on  the  hearthstone  play! 
Beat  out  your  life,  O  waves,  in  dashing  spray ! 
My  heart  chants  not  your  monotone  to-day. 
Oh,  not  to-day ! 


LOVE  S    POWER 


53 


I  hear  no  dirge,  I  see  no  ashes  gray  — 
Love !  love !  love  !  love !  its  rapture  fills  the  day ! 
The  winter  brings  to  me  the  bloom  of  May. 
The  bloom  of  May. 


54 


GOOD    MORNING 


GOOD  MORNING. 

I  GREET  you  from  the  world's  great  heart, 

And  bear  its  message  on. 
Good  morning  !  — We  are  ne'er  apart, 

Though  earth  and  heaven  were  done. 

I  bring  you  all  that  life  can  give  — 

Its  store  of  joy  and  rest ; 
I  give  you  peace  of  soul  to  live 

Serene  within  your  breast. 

And  when  I  crown  all  these  with  love  — 

God's  sunshine  for  life's  way  — 
4  Good  morning '  are  the  only  words 
I  ever  need  to  say. 


MEXICAN    SONG  55 


MEXICAN  SONG. 

THE  crescent  moon  is  a  golden  boat, 

The  old  moon  is  its  sail ; 
In  skies  of  evening  we  see  it  float 

O'er  Guanajuato's  vale. 

The  red,  red  sky  is  the  boat's  fair  sea, 

And  the  hills  are  dark  below. 
Come,  O  my  Lover,  and  sail  with  me, 

Wherever  our  boat  may  go. 

A. way,  away,  to  the  golden  isles 
That  hide  in  the  clouds'  bright  vail; 

Where  skies  are  azure,  and  sunlight  smiles, 
Our  beautiful  boat  will  sail. 

The  red  and  gold  fade  out  of  the  sea ; 

The  boat  hides  under  the  shore ; 
Its  beautiful  crescent  for  you  and  for  me 

Is  lost  in  the  Nevermore. 


56  ALWAYS    SPRING 


s 


ALWAYS  SPRING. 

WHEN  tiny  buds  peep  o'er  the  mold, 

When  willow  wands  are  filled  with  gold, 

When  subtle  perfume  's  in  the  air, 

And  hope  is  smiling  everywhere, 

Then  Nature  whispers  :  c  It  is  Spring,' 

And  my  heart  echoes  :  l  Spring,  sweet  Spring  ! ' 

When  crowding  leaves  of  emerald  green 
Scarce  let  blue  skies  peep  in  between, 
When  scarlet  poppies  droop  their  heads 
In  midday  sleep  on  verdant  beds, 
Then  Summer  calls  the  birds  to  sing, 
But  my  heart  says  :  '  It  is  the  Spring  ! ' 

When,  carried  by  the  lonely  breeze, 
A  golden  shuttle  through  the  trees 
Weaves  shadows  on  the  crimson  vines 
And  o'er  the  carpet  of  the  pines, 


ALWAYS    SPRING  57 

Then  Autumn  says  :  l  Your  harvest  bring.' 
But  my  heart  answers  :   '  It  is  Spring  ! ' 

When  Winter,  with  her  cold  white  hands, 
Locks  every  stream  in  icy  bands, 
My  darling,  still  your  dear  eyes  shine 
With  heavenly  lovelight  into  mine, 
And  my  glad  heart  must  always  sing, 
Whate'er  the  season  :  c  It  is  Spring  ! ' 


58  LONG,    LONG    AGO 


LONG,  LONG  AGO. 

WAS  it  November,  dear,  or  May, 
That  day  of  joy  —  that  blessed  day  — 
When  o'er  the  hills  we  took  our  way, 
Long,  long  ago  ? 

The  fallow  fields  stretched  west  and  east, 
The  swinging  vines  gave  purple  feast, 
The  red-robed  sumach  stood  as  priest, 
Long,  long  ago. 

The  breezes  through  the  golden  shine 
Of  sunbeams  filtered  Autumn's  wine  ; 
Deep  drank  we  of  the  draught  divine, 
Long,  long  ago. 

There  needed  not  a  sage's  book 
To  teach  the  lesson  that  we  took 
From  bird  and  flower  and  running  brook, 
Long,  long  ago. 


LONG,    LONG    AGO  59 

For,  looking  in  each  other's  eyes, 
We  found  the  oracle's  replies 
To  all  the  ancient  prophecies, 
Long,  long  ago. 

And  't  was  November's  gift  from  May, 
That  day  of  joy  —  that  blessed  day  — 
When  love  walked  with  us  all  the  way, 
Long,  long  ago. 


60  O    BEAUTIFUL    DAY 


O  BEAUTIFUL  DAY. 

O  BEAUTIFUL  day  to  live  in  ! 

The  hills  in  their  blue  vails  of  haze, 
And  the  sunshine  flooding  the  valleys 

Where  the  cattle  in  quiet  graze. 

O  beautiful  day  to  work  in  ! 

The  air  full  of  heavenly  wine, 
And  the  thought  of  the  world  working  with  us, 

In  strength  for  the  conquest  divine. 

O  beautiful  day  to  love  in  ! 

Earth  an  altar,  with  Nature  the  priest, 
And  the  heart  like  a  Moslem  low  kneeling, 

The  face  of  the  soul  to  the  east. 


THE    DAWN    OF    A    DAY  6 1 


THE  DAWN   OF  A  DAY. 

THE  dawn  found  a  rift  in  the  curtains  of  night, 
And  laid  there  her  wide  silver  girdle  of  light ; 
She  shook  out  her  crimson  robe  fold  upon  fold, 
And  over  it  drew  her  long  mantle  of  gold ; 
The  ocean  a  mirror  held  up  to  the  sky, 
Reflecting  the  clouds  as  they  floated  on  high. 
The  blue  islands  lifted  their  heads  from  the  sea, 
When  the  rays  of  the  dawn  set  their  dark  shad 
ows  free. 

The  steeds  of  the  sun  down  the  royal  road  came, 
And  the  breath  of  their  nostrils  was  blown  like 

a  flame, 
For  they  saw  the  blue  hours  in   their   chariot 

stand, 

Opportunity  holding  each  one  by  the  hand ; 
And  they  knew  the  dawn's  pomp  was  but  herald 

to  bring 
Heaven's  gift  of  a  day  unto  peasant  and  king. 


62  4i  LOVE  YOU,  DEAR' 


<I  LOVE  YOU,  DEAR!' 

SHE  looked  at  him  with  quick  surprise, 
She  looked  at  him  with  tear-brimmed  eyes; 
Her  tight-closed  hand  no  motion  shaped, 
No  word  her  curling  lips  escaped. 
His  eyes  were  bright,  his  voice  was  clear; 
He  only  said  :  1 1  love  you,  Dear  ! ' 

Her  eyes  were  deep  with  anger's  hue, 
They  softened  into  tender  blue ; 
The  haughty  curve  her  lip  forsook, 
Her  hand  lay  open  on  her  book ; 
Then  as  he  spoke,  he  drew  more  near, 
And  said  again  :  c  I  love  you,  Dear  ! ' 

Where  sweet  Love  dwells,  wrath  cannot  stay; 
Her  smiles  chased  all  the  tears  away. 
She  looked  at  him  :  '  Ah,  do  not  fear, 
I,  too,  can  say,  "  I  love  you,  Dear  !  " 
His  smile  replied,  4  Our  hearts  are  near,' 
His  words  were  still :  1 1  love  you,  Dear  ! ' 


4 1    LOVE    YOU,    DEAR*  63 

Ah,  when  the  fire  of  anger  burns, 
And  all  life's  sweet  to  bitter  turns, — 
When  eyes  are  flashing,  lips  close  set, 
Prepared  to  storm  and  to  regret, — 
Then  happy  we  if  Great  Heart  near 

Have  strength  to  say :  c  I  love  you,  Dear ! ' 


64  ALONE 


ALONE. 

I  SIT  upon  a  mountain ; 

No  human  soul  is  near ; 
The  forests  are  beside  me, 

They  are  companions  here. 
The  gray  stones  give  me  greeting, 

Each  white  cloud  smiling  sends 
Glad  message  for  our  meeting, — 
I  am  with  friends. 

I  walk  the  thronging  city, 

And  countless  moving  hordes 

Of  people  press  against  me  ; 
I  hear  their  very  words ; 

I  look  upon  their  faces, 

My  heart  can  only  moan, — 

In  all  these  crowded  places 
I  am  alone. 


JUDGE    NOT  65 


JUDGE  NOT. 

WHEN  I  was  young  I  saw  Life  at  my  feet 
With  smiling  eyes  that  asked :  What  should  man 

do? 

I  said :  '  Here  lies  the  path  he  must  go  through  ! 
Where  I  direct,  for  him  to  walk  is  meet.' 
My  pigmy  self  as  king  I  thus  did  treat, 
As  king  for  whose  approval  man  must  sue. 
Ah,  blind  !  that  never  saw  myself  untrue 
To  God,  who  bares  hearts  at  his  mercy  seat. 
Late  have  I  learned  the  lesson  not  to  say 
1  Thus  reads  the  law ! '  'So  in  my  brother's  place 
Would  I  do  ! '   I  know  not  what  were  my  way, 
Except  for  guidance  given  of  God's  good  grace. 
In  changed   conditions   changed   might   I   have 

been ; 
I  might  have  sinned  as  he,  whate'er  his  sin. 


66  GOD'S    CHILDREN 


GOD'S  CHILDREN. 

GOD  gave  to  me  a  little  child  ; 

c  He 's  all  my  own,'  I  said. 
I  loved  his  dainty,  rosy  feet, 
I  loved  his  curly  head. 

I  kept  my  hand  upon  his  heart, 

I  watched  his  every  breath. 
I  feared  for  him  :   I  prophesied 

Disease  and  pain  and  death. 

He  faded  while  I  fondly  gazed ; 

He  drooped  the  while  I  prayed. 
*  I  cannot  sleep  !      I  dream  !      I  fear  ! 
He  is  my  child  ! '   I  said. 

Then  came  a  heavenly  voice  :  '  Not  thine, 

But  God's,'  the  angel  said. 
4  He  is  God's  Temple,  where  love  reigns, 
Rejoice  !   be  not  afraid  ! 


GOD'S    CHILDREN  67 

;  You  rob  your  darling  of  God's  gifts  ; 

You  keep  him  timid  —  sad. 
Think,  work,  and  pray  for  others'  good, 

And  let  your  heart  be  glad  ! ' 

I  laid  my  burden  down ;   I  stood 
And  laughed  beneath  the  sun. 

It  was  as  if  I  had  been  blind, 
And  life  had  just  begun. 

I  took  my  hand  from  off  my  child : 
He  bloomed  like  lovely  flowers. 

I  learned  that  till  they  're  given  to  God, 
Our  children  are  not  ours. 


68 


WHY    FEAR 


WHY  FEAR? 

WHY  should  'st  thou  misfortune  fear, 

O  soul  of  mine, 
When  it  may  never  venture  near, 

Or  shape  define  ? 
The  body  faints  beneath  a  load 

It  need  not  bear; 
Look  up  !    The  stars  shine  on  life's  road,- 

Stoop  not  to  fear. 


WITH    GOD  69 


WITH  GOD. 

GOD  doth  invite  us  all  to  walk  with  him, — 
Not  to  stand  facing  him,  as  if  arraigned 
Before  our  judge,  with  body  bending  low, 
But  joyful,  as  the  children  of  a  king 
Prince-like  to  tread  at  our  dear  father's  side ; 
His  wealth  of  love  and  peace  and  joy  our  own, 
Life  set  to  his  in  perfect  harmony. 

Thus  as  companions,  children,  helpers,  friends, 
Erect  and  glad  to  meet  the  world  with  him, 
Doth  he  invite  us  by  his  side  to  walk. 


JO  THE    BOOM    OF    THE    LAKE 


THE  BOOM  OF  THE  LAKE  ON 
THE  GRAY  SEA  WALL. 

SOME  long  for  the  mountains,  and  some  for  the 

sea  ; 

Some  sigh  for  the  prairies  and  wilderness  free; 
Some  dream  of  the  northland  and  breath  of  its 

pines, 
Some  pray   for  the  southland  with   fruit -laden 

vines ; 

But  never  a  voice  to  my  heart  doth  call 
Like  the  boom  of  the  lake  on  the  gray  sea  wall. 

Sometimes  'tis  a  mirror  with  clouds  on  its  breast, 
The  sun  silvers  over  their  cradle  of  rest, 
The  south  wind  breathes  softly  the  quiet  to  keep, 
And  evening  weaves  gently  her  mantle  of  sleep; 
Then,  standing  alone,  solemn,  stately,  and  tall, 
A  fortress-like  guard  is  the  gray  sea  wall. 


THE    BOOM    OF    THE    LAKE  JI 

But  hark!  from  the  north  comes  a  furious  blast; 
The  east  wind  to  meet  it  is  hurrying  past ; 
The  waves  leap  forth  madly  the  tempest  to  greet, 
The  storm-king  triumphant  sees  earth  at  his  feet; 
And  far  up  the  north  shore  there  sounds  over  all 
The  boom  of  the  lake  on  the  gray  sea  wall. 

In  lands  far  away  though  my  footsteps  may  roam, 
My  thoughts  swiftly  hasten  to  seek  a  dear  home 
That  memory  brings  in  her  beautiful  dreams 
Where  white  waves  curl  over  the  sun's  golden 

beams  ; 

Then  answers  my  heart  to  a  rapturous  call, 
The  boom  of  the  lake  on  the  gray  wall. 


72  MILTON    HILL 

MILTON  HILL. 

THE  prettiest  mats  were  ever  seen 
Are  Mrs.  Cunningham's  mats  of  green  ! 
She  would  n't  lay  beside  her  door, 
Or  on  the  garden's  level  floor, 
A  dry,  dead  thing  of  jute  or  hair, 
Or  fur  that  frozen  creatures  wear  ! 
No  !   no  !  she  calls  the  sunbeam's  light, 
And  welcomes  dewdrops  in  the  night ; 
And  when  gray  clouds  droop  far  and  wide, 
She  shows  the  raindrops  where  to  hide. 
Then  woof  of  earth  and  warp  of  green, 
By  sunbeam  shuttles  thrown  between, 
Are  netted  into  grassy  blade 
And  into  clover  triads  made, 
Until  at  last  the  velvet  mass 
Becomes  a  padded  square  of  grass ; 
And  when  your  footsteps  hither  stray, 
I  know  that  you  will  surely  say : 
4  The  prettiest  mats  were  ever  seen 
Are  Mrs.  Cunningham's  mats  of  green. 


MY    NEIGHBOR 


73 


MY  NEIGHBOR. 

TELL  me  the  good  of  my  neighbor, 

Make  me  his  lover ; 
What  there  is  evil,  unaided 

I  shall  discover. 
Better  might  I  to  his  failings 

Know  only  blindness, 
For  they  may  surely  be  hidden 

Under  his  kindness. 
Then  over  errors  and  weakness 

Draw  me  a  cover ; 
Tell  me  the  good  of  my  neighbor, 

Make  me  his  lover. 


74  SONG    FOR    A    GOLDEN    WEDDING 


SONG  FOR  A  GOLDEN  WEDDING. 

SING  for  the  golden  sunshine, 
Sing  for  the  golden  moon  ; 
Sing  for  the  golden  roses, 

Fragrant  on  breath  of  June. 
Sing  for  the  golden  maples, 
Sing  for  the  golden  mine, 
Sing  for  the  golden  berries, 
Clustered  on  waving  vine. 

Then  over  prairie  and  desert  gray, 
Over  the  mountain  and  sea  away, 
Sing  for  a  golden  wedding-day. 

Vows  that  were  slowly  spoken 

Once  in  the  bygone  past, 
Speed  now  to  give  a  token 

Life  is  the  best  at  last ; 
For  with  true  hearts  united, 

Love  ever  close  beside, 


SONG    FOR    A    GOLDEN    WEDDING  75 

Yearly  new  faith  was  plighted, 
Bridegroom  again  wooed  bride. 

Then  over  prairie  and  desert  gray, 
Over  the  mountain  and  sea  away, 
Sing  for  a  golden  wedding-day. 

Seeking  at  end  of  rainbow 

Magical  pot  of  gold, 
Question  the  wide  world  over  — 

None  has  the  secret  told ; 
Yet  have  these  fond  hearts  learned  it — 

Truth  as  the  heavens  old  — 
Life  is  itself  the  rainbow, 
Love  is  the  pot  of  gold. 

Then  over  prairie  and  desert  gray, 
Over  the  mountain  and  sea  away, 
Sing  for  a  golden  wedding-day. 


76  CORONADO 


CORONADO. 

A  QUEEN  there  is  whose  kingdom  lies 
Beside  the  sea  'neath  southern  skies  ; 
And  lovers  come  from  every  zone 
To  kneel  before  her  wave-washed  throne. 

She  wears  a  shining  coronet, 
With  sky-born  stars  its  points  are  set ; 
And  Heaven  to  her  for  emblem  gave 
The  crescent  shaped  in  every  wave  — 
The  crescent  far  as  eye  can  reach, 
In  curving  sands  around  the  beach. 

4  And  I  will  set  another  sign,' 
Said  Heaven,  c  on  this  brow  of  thine  ! ' 
Then  watchers  saw  in  twilight  skies 
The  fair,  young,  golden  moon  arise  ; 
She  held  the  old  moon's  ghost  in  air, 
And  set  her  gleaming  crescent  there. 


CORONADO  77 

The  islands  could  no  longer  wait ; 
They  stood  before  the  Silver  Gate : 
4  Swing,  swing  upon  your  flowing  tide ; 
The  sky  is  near  —  the  sea  is  wide ; 
The  crescent  arches  in  our  caves, 
The  crescent  shines  upon  our  waves ; 
We  wear  the  royal  gold  and  green, 
As  servants  of  our  high-born  Queen. 
What  is  her  name  —  the  noble  one 
Who  sits  beloved  on  her  throne  ? ' 

The  white  gulls  rested  on  the  wing, 
And  sky  and  sea  were  listening ; 
Each  mountain  stood,  a  solemn  priest, 
Before  the  altar  of  the  east ; 
Each  hill,  a  waiting  acolyte, 
Attended  the  baptismal  rite ; 
And  silence  reigned,  until  there  came 
Through  ringing  air  the  royal  name  : 
1  Thou,  Coronado,  thou  shalt  be 
The  Queen  of  Earth — the  Queen  of  Sea ! ' 

So,  Coronado,  crowned  one, 
Thy  lovers  come  from  every  zone 


78  CORONADO 

To  see  the  royal  coronet 
That  Heaven  upon  thy  brow  hath  set ; 
And  when  that  crescent  once  is  seen, 
Hearts  everywhere  proclaim  thee  Queen. 


HYMN  79 


HYMN. 

LORD,  far  beyond  desert  of  mine 
The  love  that  on  my  life  doth  shine, 
That  shelters  me  in  darkest  night, 
And  blesses  every  morning  light. 

The  changing  seasons  round  the  years, 
Joy  brings  her  smiles  and  grief  her  tears  ; 
But  whether  smiles  or  tears  prevail, 
Thy  boundless  love  doth  never  fail. 

Oh,  keep  my  spirit  undefiled ; 
Help  me  to  be  thy  trusting  child ; 
And  on  this  loving  heart  of  mine, 
Lord,  let  thy  love  forever  shine. 


8O  NINETIETH    PSALM 


NINETIETH  PSALM. 

LORD,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling-place 
Through  generations  past ; 

Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth, 
While  earth  was  chaos  vast ; 

Thou  art  from  everlasting  known 

To  everlasting  —  God  alone. 

A  thousand  years  within  thy  sight 

Are  but  as  yesterday 
When  it  is  past ;  —  or  like  a  watch 

That  measureth  night  away. 
As  with  a  flood  thou  carriest  them, 
They  are  as  sleep  that  falls  on  men. 

Like  grass  are  they,  that,  flourishing, 
In  morning  hours  is  found ; 

At  eventide  it  is  cut  down, 

And  withereth  on  the  ground. 

Thine  anger  doth  our  souls  consume, 

Thy  wrath  doth  fill  our  hearts  with  gloom. 


NINETIETH    PSALM  8 1 

Our  days  are  three-score  years  and  ten ; 

Like  oft-told  tale  those  years. 
Though  strength  should  four-score  number  them, 

They  are  but  work  and  tears ; 
For  life  is  soon  cut  off,  and  then 
We  fly,  and  know  not  where  or  when. 

So  teach  us,  Lord,  to  count  our  days 
That  we  find  wisdom's  heart. 

Return  !  with  mercy  satisfy  ! 

Let  gladness  be  our  part. 

According  to  our  time  of  fears, 

May  we  rejoice  through  all  our  years. 

Unto  thy  servants'  eyes,  dear  Lord, 

Let  all  thy  work  appear ; 
Thy  glory  to  their  children  show, 

That  love  may  conquer  fear. 
Our  handiwork  do  thou  make  strong, 
And  let  thy  beauty  be  our  song. 


82  FEBRUARY 


FEBRUARY. 

PAN'S  pipes  are  laid  in  roots  and  twigs, 
And  through  the  vines  are  bent ; 

Spring  calls  his  eager  lips  to  press 
The  wondrous  instrument. 

To  hear  this  heavenly  symphony, 
Rise,  Soul,  from  depths  of  woe  ; 

Speak,  Seer,  and  make  me  wise  as  flowers, 
Who  well  their  birthdays  know. 

Tell  me  how  Pan  makes  sun,  wind,  clouds, 

Obedient  to  his  power ; 
Tell  me  why  green  fills  every  leaf, 

And  color  every  flower. 

O  wise  man  !  break  a  stem,  and  show 
The  marvellous  liquid  green  ;  — 

A  violet's  heart, —  that  I  may  watch 
Its  purple-flowing  stream. 


FEBRUARY  83 

Show  me  the  pink-filled  fountain  where 

Arbutus  goes  to  drink ; 
Show  me  the  snows  that  come  to  pale 

The  lily  on  its  brink. 

Then,  O  thou  wisest  man !  distill, 

If  thou  hast  secret  power, 
That  I  may  learn  the  magic  art  — 

The  perfume  of  the  flower. 

And  tell  me  why  the  violet's  breath 

The  lily  never  knows  ; 
And  why  the  lily's  never  dwells 

Within  the  glowing  rose. 

Yet,  Sage,  speak  not !    These  secrets,  hid 

In  flower,  in  leaf,  in  sod, 
Half-fathomed  by  our  human  hope, 

Must  still  be  left  with  God. 


84  APRIL 


APRIL. 

I  LEANED  from  my  window  one  morning, 

I  heard  a  low  laugh  in  the  air ; 
The  birds  gave  a  soft  note  of  warning  — 

A  moment,  and  she  will  be  there  ! 
Oh,  who  is  this  charmer  retreating 

As  if  our  desire  she  eludes  ? 
Her  raindrops,  our  plans  all  defeating, 

Are  pattering  down  in  the  woods. 

I  watch  her  —  the  beautiful  maiden  ! 

The  sun  brings  her  wandering  smile, 
The  breeze  with  her  whisper  is  laden, 

The  willows  her  favor  beguile. 
Her  vail  of  gray  mist  on  the  mountains, 

Her  scarf  of  pale  green  o'er  the  trees ; 
She  breaks  all  the  chains  of  the  fountains, 

They  rush  down  to  seek  the  far  seas. 


APRIL  85 

Her  jewels  she  brings  from  a  palace 

Well  guarded  by  knights  of  the  sun ; 
She  weeps,  and  they  offer  a  chalice 

Where  colors  from  teardrops  are  spun  ; 
She  smiles,  and  their  arrows  quick  darting 

Through  woof  of  that  fabric  of  dreams, 
The  arch  of  the  rainbow  is  starting, — 

Her  smiles  and  her  tears  are  its  beams. 

I  lean  from  my  window  at  evening, 

I  hear  a  low  murmur  afar ; 
And  is  earth  her  jewels  receiving, 

Or  is  it  the  gleam  of  a  star  ? 
O  April !  capricious  yet  tender, 

The  bridesmaid  of  Winter  and  Spring, 
The  Summer  her  homage  may  render, 

But  yours  is  the  gift  of  the  ring. 


86  JUNE 


JUNE. 

HARK  !  a  new  comer  ! 

Lo  !  it  is  Summer  ! 
Pan  sets  his  pipes  to  her  tune ; 

Down  by  the  river 

Reeds  are  a-quiver, 
Waiting  —  all  waiting  for  June. 

No  longer  hidden, 

Wild  flowers  are  bidden 
Censers  to  swing  'neath  the  moon ; 

Night  is  resplendent, 

Stars  are  attendant, 
Waiting  —  all  waiting  for  June. 

Summer  insisting, 

Calls  to  her  trysting 
Forests  with  green's  royal  boon ; 

Breezes  compelling, 

Bird  carols  swelling, 
Waiting  —  all  waiting  for  June. 


JUNE  87 

Soft  airs  perfuming, 

Roses  are  blooming, 
Red  in  the  sunshine  of  noon  ; 

Snowy  in  whiteness, 

Golden  in  brightness, 
Waiting  —  all  waiting  for  June. 

White  clouds  low  sailing 

Watch  her  unavailing, 
River  and  sea  sing  her  rune ; 

Robed  in  rare  splendor, 

Regal  yet  tender, 
Earth  crowns  the  Summer  with  June. 


88  SEPTEMBER 


SEPTEMBER. 

WHILE  summer  days  grew  brown  and  old, 

A  wizard  delved  in  mines  of  gold ; 

No  idler  he, —  by  night,  by  day, 

He  smiled  and  sang  and  worked  away. 

And,  scorning  thrift,  with  lavish  hand 

He  cast  his  gold  across  the  land. 

The  maples  caught  it  ere  it  fell ; 
Witch-hazel  turned  before  its  spell ; 
The  goldenrod's  high  plumes  of  green 
Were  feathered  with  its  yellow  sheen  ; 
While  barberry  bush  and  bitter-sweet 
Wore  berries  golden  as  the  wheat. 

Still  smiling,  o'er  the  trees  he  wound 
Long  russet  scarfs  with  crimson  bound ; 
He  drew  a  vail  of  purple  haze 
O'er  distant  hills  where  cattle  graze ; 
He  bathed  the  sun  in  amber  mist, 
And  steeped  the  sky  in  amethyst. 


SEPTEMBER  89 

Low  in  the  east,  for  crowning  boon 
He  hung  the  golden  harvest  moon ; 
And  donned  his  coat  of  frosty  white 
As  twilight  deepened  into  night. 
Then  to  the  roll-call  of  the  year 
September  answered  :  1 1  am  here  ! ' 


9O  OCTOBER 


OCTOBER. 

THE  trees  hold  russet  tankards 
For  Autumn's  sparkling  wine ; 

Ere  purple  grapes  are  broken 
Upon  the  swinging  vine, 

The  breezes  bring  for  token 
The  breath  of  spices  fine. 

Afar  upon  the  hillside 

The  sumach's  torches  flame  j 
The  green  of  Summer  spurning, 

The  stately  maples  claim 
A  crimson  flag  whose  burning 

Waves  high  a  golden  name. 

The  sword  of  great  Orion 

Guards  well  the  cup  at  night ; 

O'er  moon  and  stars  in  splendor 
Aurora  swings  her  light, 

While  Earth  again  doth  tender 
Her  potion  of  delight. 


OCTOBER 

Oh,  press  it  to  your  lips,  dear, 
October's  glowing  bowl, 

O'er  perfumed  =BpsTt  offers, 
With  fire  of  altar's  coal, 

A  draught  whose  rich  depth  proffers 
Elixir  for  the  soul. 


92  GOOD-BYE,    OLD    YEAR 


GOOD-BYE,  OLD  YEAR. 

THE  Christmas  Day  came  dressed  in  green, 
The  New  Year  dressed  in  white ; 

The  blue  lake  smiled  upon  them  both, 
To  match  the  sun's  delight. 

The  birds  flew  swift  across  the  sky  : 
4  Come,  New  Year  !     Old  Year,  go  ! ' 

We  say  good-bye  to  flush  of  green, 
And  hail  the  drifts  of  snow. 

We  greet  you  both  with  smile  and  sigh  — 
When  New  Years  come,  Old  Years  must  fly 
And  so,  Old  Year,  good-bye,  good-bye  ! 


•AS    A    MAN    THINKETH  93 


4  AS  A  MAN  THINKETH.' 

4  As  A  man  thinketh,  so  is  he '; 

Right  thought  builds  true  and  strong  -, 
Let  passion  rule,  and  he  is  torn 
By  forces  turned  to  wrong. 

For  evil  poisons.      Malice  shafts 

Like  boomerangs  return, 
Inflicting  wounds  that  will  not  heal 

While  rage  and  anger  burn. 

But  good  may  ever  conquer  ill, 

Health  walk  where  pain  has  trod  : 
'  As  a  man  thinketh,  so  is  he ' — 
Rise  then,  and  think  with  God. 


94  SUNNY    BRAE 


SUNNY  BRAE. 

I  KNOW  a  trellis  where  the  flowers 
Give  scarcely  room  for  leaves, 

And  where  an  interlacing  vine 
Its  shadow  network  weaves. 

The  pink  rose  reaches  high  to  catch 
The  golden  sun's  first  beam  ; 

The  white  rose  lingers  till  the  morn 
Brings  down  its  bridal  dream. 

The  yellow  rose  no  longer  seeks 

The  kisses  of  the  sun  ; 
His  colors  glowing  on  her  cheek 

Are  trophies  she  has  won. 

The  golden  honeysuckle  blows 
From  out  his  trumpet  cup 

A  perfume  such  as  Araby 
Could  never  offer  up. 


SUNNY    BRAE  95 

The  roses  from  the  trellis  bend 

The  stately  palm  to  greet ; 
And  whisper  secrets  to  the  hedge, 

Of  sister  roses  sweet. 

Upon  the  lawn  the  Temple  Oak, 

With  noble  arms  outspread, 
Breathes  benediction  on  each  one 

Who  loves  his  green-crowned  head. 

Within  the  home  the  stranger  finds 

A  joyous  welcoming ; 
Good-will 's  the  '  Open  Sesame 

At  which  the  wide  doors  swing. 

But  would  you  know  the  fairest  flower 

That  perfumes  every  day  ? 
'Tis  heartsease,  blooming  'neath  the  roof 

Of  blessed  Sunny  Brae. 


96  TWILIGHT 


TWILIGHT. 

WHEN  shadows  of  evening  were  falling, 

I  stole  to  the  valley  alone ; 
And  close  by  the  beautiful  brookside 

I  rested  upon  a  gray  stone. 

The  ferns  to  the  water  were  bending, 
The  touch-me-nots  crept  to  its  edge; 

And  mosses  and  lichens,  embracing, 

Climbed  up  to  the  shale's  sharpenedtedge. 

Then  spilled  out  of  Araby's  chalice 

A  love  philter  over  the  hill, 
And  the  green  valley  yielded  a  perfume 

That  only  the  dew  can  distill. 

There  rose  above  all  the  song  vespers 
Of  robin  and  sparrow  and  thrush, 

And  the  oriole's  chords  and  harmonics 
Thrilled  out  from  the  tall  maple  bush. 


TWILIGHT 


97 


Antiphonal  in  his  responses, 

The  lark  hailed  the  last  ray  of  light ; 
And  then  from  the  forest  cathedral 

There  came  the  Amen  of  good-night. 


98  LAKE    TO    SKY 


LAKE  TO  SKY. 

ONE  winter  day 

The  lake  lay  gray 
Beneath  the  shining  sky  ; 

And  white  clouds  flew 

Across  the  blue, 
As  winds  went  sweeping  by. 

Then  said  the  lake  : 
4  Ah,  blue  sky,  take 
My  gray — give  me  your  blue  ! 

Let  white  clouds  rest 

Upon  my  breast, 
With  sunshine  filtering  through  !  * 

And  so  in  gray 

That  winter  day, 
With  never  cloud  to  break, 

The  quiet  sky 

Arched  still  and  high 
Above  the  happy  lake. 


LAKE    TO    SK.Y  99 

While  far  below, 

Like  silver  snow, 
Clouds  drifted  wide  apart ; 

And  through  each  break 

The  blue,  blue  lake 
Revealed  the  sky's  blue  heart. 


IOO  WE    TWO 


WE  TWO. 

Two  little  words  my  heart  has  sung 

Since  years  were  few  and  life  was  young. 
'Twas  you,  my  wife,  who  set  the  tune 

One  happy  May  —  or  was  it  June  ? 

No  matter,  since  it  was  love's  spring ; 
1  We  two  ! '  the  words  you  bade  me  sing. 

4  We  two  ! '     I  looked  into  your  eyes, 
And  to  all  doubts  found  sweet  replies ; 
The  future  seemed  an  open  way, 
The  light  upon  it,  heaven's  own  ray ; 
And  on  your  hand  I  slipped  a  ring ; 

'  We  two  !  we  two  ! '  I  heard  it  sing. 

Beloved  wife,  through  all  the  years 
Your  smile  has  ever  banished  fears; 
Your  eyes  have  seen  hope's  golden  star, 
Your  love  has  shone  from  near  and  far. 
Ah,  in  life's  youth  I  little  knew 
The  blessed  meaning  of  l  We  two.' 


WE    TWO  IOI 

I  learned  it  well  in  time  of  grief, 
When  your  dear  presence  brought  relief; 
I  learned  it  well  when  by  your  side 
My  deepest  joys  were  multiplied ; 
Until  to-day,  dear  wife  and  true, 
Life  only  means  4  We  two  !  we  two  ! ' 


102  THE    LETTER 


THE  LETTER. 

HER  heart  was  its  forerunner ; 

She  knew  that  he  would  speak; 
Already  had  he  won  her 

When  blushes  dyed  her  cheek. 

At  last  she  held  his  letter ; 

Its  words  —  ah  !  did  she  guess  ? 
Before  she  broke  its  fetter, 

Her  heart  had  answered  c  Yes  ! ' 


OLD  PROVERBS  IN  A  NEW  DRESS  IO3 


OLD  PROVERBS  IN  A  NEW  DRESS. 

BE  prompt.     The  tardy  habit  grows, 
And  gets  a  sound  berating ; 

For  people  always  count  the  faults 
Of  those  who  keep  them  waiting. 

French. 

The  Devil  boldly  walks  abroad 

By  night  and  day ; 
But  when  he  finds  the  door  fast  shut, 

He  goes  away. 

Spanish. 

When  the  web  is  well  begun 

No  need  then  to  dread 
That  it  will  be  left  undone : 

God  will  send  the  thread. 

Italian. 

When  God  bids  thee  draw  a  load, 
Rope  he  lays  beside  the  road. 
When  he  says  that  thou  shalt  ride, 

Then  a  horse  he  doth  provide. 

Danish. 


IO4  OLD  PROVERBS  IN  A  NEW  DRESS 

The  best  man's  faults  upon  his  forehead  written 
Would  make  him  pull  hat  over  eyes  —  shame- 
smitten. 

Gxlic. 

Would  you  be  fragrant  ?      Choose  a  place 
Where  fragrance  you  will  meet, 

For  he  who  dwells 

By  one  who  sells 

Sweet  perfumes  will  be  sweet. 

Arabian. 

Man  is  not  just  till  he  divines 
That  God  writes  straight  on  crooked  lines. 

Spanish. 

There  is  never  a  road  that  is  long, 
When  we  know  at  its  end 
Stands  the  house  of  a  friend ; 

For  the  heart  as  it  goes  sings  a  song. 

Danish. 

Confide  a  secret  to  a  man  that 's  dumb  — 
'T  will  make  him  speak,  for  out  't  is  bound  to 
come. 

Livonian. 


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